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Very Good Lives
Very Good Lives: The Fringe Benefits of Failure and the Importance of Imagination | J.K. Rowling
62 posts | 88 read | 92 to read
J.K. Rowling, one of the world's most inspiring writers, shares her wisdom and advice. In 2008, J.K. Rowling delivered a deeply affecting commencement speech at Harvard University. Now published for the first time in book form, VERY GOOD LIVES presents J.K. Rowling's words of wisdom for anyone at a turning point in life. How can we embrace failure? And how can we use our imagination to better both ourselves and others?Drawing from stories of her own post-graduate years, the world famous author addresses some of life's most important questions with acuity and emotional force.Sales of VERY GOOD LIVES will benefit both Lumos, a non-profit international organization founded by J.K. Rowling, which works to end the institutionalization of children around the world, and university-wide financial aid at Harvard University.
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slategreyskies
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Pickpick

This was between a pick and a so-so for me. I think it was well done, but I wanted more.

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GatheringBooks
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rather_be_reading
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Pickpick

Super cute short story. This was Rowling's Harvard commencement speech.

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rather_be_reading

As is a tale, so is life: not how long it is, but how good it is, is what matters.

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rather_be_reading
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rather_be_reading
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...failure in life is inevitable.

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rather_be_reading
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yes!

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rather_be_reading

What we achieve inwardly will change outer reality. - Plutach

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rather_be_reading
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poverty

ChewDigestBooks Romanticized or seen as proof of unworthiness! Damn it‘s like Dickens and his era never left. 5y
34 likes2 comments
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rather_be_reading

...it is the power that enables us to empathize with humans whose experiences we have never shared.

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rather_be_reading

Life is difficult and complicated, and beyond anyone's control, and the humility to know that will enable you to survive its vicissitudes.

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rather_be_reading
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do what you wanna do...

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rather_be_reading
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rather_be_reading

...personal happiness lies in knowing that life is not a checklist of acquisition ot achievement. Your qualifications, your CV, are not your life...

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rather_be_reading
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Opened up to these notes in the book. Looks like it was a graduation gift to someone.

Henrik_Madsen I love finding notes, reviews and such in second-hand books. 5y
38 likes2 comments
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rather_be_reading
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Book 92 of 2019
#shortstory

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dawn-pInk
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Mehso-so

“I wish you all very good lives.”
A nice little pick me up and a gift from the original roomie. But, also, the usual college graduation stuff. Not the worst, and still gave me a good pep talk. But, I dunno, go watch Tim Minchin‘s if you need to be moved to inspiration. 3 out of 5 on GR

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IndoorDame
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Spooks101
Pickpick

This is a short but very interesting book, taken from one of JK Rowling's speechs during a Harvard University commencement speech. It is an honest admission of the difficulties she faced in becoming published, and how she overcame these difficulties. A good read for any aspiring author.

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erzascarletbookgasm
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“I do believe something very magical can happen when you read a good book.” J.K. Rowling

(Image: nokeek.deviantart)

#literaryluck #believe

JennyM 🙌🙌 5y
vkois88 💚💚💚 5y
83 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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AvidReader25
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Short and sweet book that‘s a transcript of J. K. Rowling‘s commencement speech to Harvard graduates.

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Krisjericho
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Pickpick

This is a pretty standard inspirational graduation speech, with not a whole lot that is particularly revelatory, but it is uplifting and focused on two really good main points - the benefits of failure and the importance of imagination. Definitely worth the short read.

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staci.reads
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Pickpick

Jk Rowling gave a nice little speech to Harvard grads with some memorable aphorisms. Super-quick read. Thanks again @Readergrrl ! I can definitely use some passages with students! #teachercarepackageswap

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staci.reads
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"It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all-in which case, you fail by default." Jk Rowling

hermyknee ♥️ 6y
59 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Mandigolightly
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Happy Birthday, JKR

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bobregina
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Thank you, Joanne 🖤 HB!

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AnneEssDee
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Who lives, who dies, who tells your story?

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Kate.Braithwaite
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“Unlike any other creature in this planet, human beings can learn and understand without having experienced. They can think themselves into other people‘s places.”

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K.Wielechowski
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Pickpick

Like Rowling, I can't remember what the speaker said at my own graduation and I wish she had given this speech at my small-ish Midwestern college. It was short, poignant, and inspiring and her words are even more important now than they were ten years ago. This is a book that I'll leave in my desk and read often, because it represents a future that I'd love to see for myself and the world.
Plus, gay wizard jokes.

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K.Wielechowski
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I'm using my local summer reading program to devour my extensive and diverse TBR pile. These are the next four. Hoping I can get them done this week without costing myself too much sleep. 😁

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bobregina
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💛

Jess7 🤗🤗 6y
61 likes1 comment
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Jen2
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Pickpick

It‘s the year of tackling my TBR!

Kappadeemom Mine too! 6y
azulaco Mine too! Although I‘ll be lucky if I get one TBR book read per month...so many distractingly good new books pop up all the time! 6y
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JuliaTheBookNerd
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LauraWeasley
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Books make the best presents, wouldn't you agree? (If only I didn't have to lug them around after the holidays because I live so far away from my family... 😏)

#tbr #bookstack #christmashaul #JKRowling #HarryPotter #VeryGoodLives #CassandraClare #HollyBlack #Magisterium #CharlesDickens #ATaleOfTwoCities #LeighBardugo #SixOfCrows #CrookedKingdom #ya #fantasy #classics #booklover #booknerdigans #somanybooks #solittletime #happynewyear

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SammyB123
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Pickpick

Wow. What a magical speech. Every one should read this.

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Alessia_prestanti
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Pickpick

A little book to read without a doubt! 🤩✌🏻❤️ #buonavitaatutti #jkrowling

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wistfulthinking
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Pickpick

This is a great book to gift to someone transitioning — a recent graduate, etc. It's a quick read but refreshing nonetheless.

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bobregina
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J. K. Rowling is probably my favorite author, but absolutely my favorite person. She is so kind, and intelligent and ... brilliant! I just love her and I can‘t wait to finally read this 👸

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cristiana_de_sousa
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Pickpick

Always good! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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AllenTStClair
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Pickpick

Finally got around to reading J.K. Rowling‘s Harvard commencement speech. Very inspiring! But it begs the question: what makes YOUR life good? Friends, travel, and of course books, do it for me. What about you? Tag me in your response posts as I‘m curious to see everyone‘s answers! #lifeisgood

[DELETED] 206653737 Friends and family, my kitty babies, books of course, and those small little moments each day that remind me life really is a blessing. 6y
Jensol77 My girls, hubby, family & friends, travel (even short weekend trips), new experiences & the same old. 6y
Dogearedcopy My husband & daughter, dogs, books & music, museums & travel 🙂 (edited) 6y
See All 9 Comments
AllenTStClair @bookish22 Fur children do make life good! 🐶🐱 6y
AllenTStClair @Jensol77 Short trips are sometimes the best! Just get in the car and see what you can find in a day.... 6y
AllenTStClair @Dogearedcopy Museums! ❤️ Which museums have been your favorites? 6y
Dogearedcopy @AllenStClair I love The National Gallery in Washington, DC, The Frick Museum in New York City, and The Museé d'Orsay in Paris. They are smaller venues with amazing collections (I tend to feel overwhelmed in places like the Met Museum in NYC, though I adore the Cloisters.) I also like the Museum of Medieval Ages at Cluny ? 6y
Dogearedcopy @AllenStClair When I'm in the mood for more modern fare, I like the Hirshhorn (WDC) and MOMA over the Guggenheim... I go down to San Francisco to the DeYoung every once in awhile for a special exhibit as well 🙂 6y
AllenTStClair @Dogearedcopy You‘ve given me some great ideas for when I‘m in those areas again. Thanks! 6y
78 likes1 stack add9 comments
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samharnold
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I love this quote J.K Rowling used in her book.

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booksandmunches
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Inspiration. Motivation.

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ilayreading

"What is more, those who choose not to empathize enable real monsters. For without ever committing an act of outright evil ourselves, we collude with it through our own apathy."

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Read4life
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Several were quick BookShots but they still cleared out some titles from mount #tbr. 📚

#24hrtbrreadathon
8 books off the list 🤓📚

Joanne1 Nice one!! 7y
litmuggle That just means room for 8 new books 7y
64 likes2 comments
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Read4life
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Pickpick

A quick read but one I highly recommend. Beautiful, inspiring and insightful.

TrishB I brought this for my son for Christmas as he's JK obsessed. It is as you described! 7y
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Read4life
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Joanne1 I think I need to hold onto this message. 7y
65 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Read4life
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Currently reading J.K Rowling's commencement address to Harvard's Class of 2008. "Why do I talk about the benefits of failure?"..."I was set free because my greatest fear had been realized..."

A short read, just started, but so far I would recommend taking the small amount of time to read this.

#24hrtbrreadathon

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annisa_anggiana
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Pickpick

We do not need magic to transform our world; we carry all the power we need inside ourselves already; we have the power to imagine better.

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teebe
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Reunited with my beloved books (I was only gone for 4 days lol) so from L to R you have: 12. #dropeverythingandread because of its rich mythology, loveable characters and clever writing; 13. #sequelplease - Not even a full sequel, just an update on the characters at least; 14. #titlewithgood; 15. #badcovergoodbook although I still haven't finished it, I've liked it so far. 😪😄 #aprilbookshowers

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kendrastephaniekaryn
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#aprilbookshowers #titlewithgood

I know I have a couple more books on my shelves that could fit this prompt, but it's just so much easier to search for title keywords on Kobo. 🙈

Suzze I used Goodreads to search my books. 37. 7y
kendrastephaniekaryn @Suzze My Goodreads is out of control, haha. At least with Kobo I know which ones I actually own. 🙈 7y
Suzze @kendrastephaniekaryn I have a LOT of Goodreads shelves, including own-not-yet-read, Kindle and Nook 7y
24 likes3 comments